Re: Meaning

: What does it mean
when someone says, "it takes a village to raise a child"?

It expresses the
idea that to raise a child well requires a measure of collective adult responsibility
for setting limits, taking care of children, regardless of whose child it might
be and even when parents aren't around. It also implies a reciprocal trust of
other adults on the part of parents.

Hillary Clinton popularized it by using
this in several speeches both while Bill Clinton was in office and now, during
her senate career. It is, allegedly, an African probverb - though I'd not put
it past Washington spin doctors to 'invent' proverbs as required.